The PH chairman said many politicians from the previous government had expressed their willingness to join PH.

"We find the people cannot accept them. Therefore, they should not be accepted as members.

"They may quit their party, for example Umno, and express their support to the government, but (they) cannot become members of the ruling government (PH)," he said during a press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here, Wednesday.

Dr Mahathir said the people did not want politicians from the previous government to have influence in the new government.

"People do not view nicely politicians from the previous government joining PH because they do not want the new government to look like the old one. Therefore, their participation is not accepted," he said.

On Tuesday, PPBM Central Information chief Datuk Kamaruddin Md Noor said the party received new applications daily, including from Umno leaders and members from all districts in Kelantan.

However, Kamaruddin said all the new applications would be brought before the party's Supreme Council members in the near future.

On May 14, in Perak, Sungai Manik state assemblyman (ADUN) Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin and four other leaders were among 200 Umno members who quit the party to join PPBM Perak.16prime.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir called upon the people to give their support to the government the same way they supported the call for a change of government in the 14th General Election.

He said the situation might be different in some countries, in which electoral process often led to commotion and tension, especially when it involved a change of government.

Worse yet, he said it could lead to extreme protests, riots and even civil war, making the formation of a government impossible and the country to remain in disarray.

"But not in Malaysia. Alhamdulillah. (This is because) Malaysians are aware of their responsibilities to maintain harmony and stability in the country.

"Police and the armed forces also play key roles in maintaining public order and security," he said in his Ramadan message issued here.

Muslims will observe the fasting month of Ramadan from today (Thursday).

"Alhamdulillah, once again Muslims in this lucky country can observe Ramadan in peace and harmony.

"Moreover, after having gone through the general election process which has brought about changes to the administration and political landscape of the country," he said.

Dr Mahathir also reminded Muslims to practice moderation in everything they do during this blessed month of Ramadan, as well as facing up to hunger and thirst and abstaining from doing things prohibited by Islam.

"In addition to performing the Terawih prayers at night, we are also encouraged to recite and understand the contents of the Quran in an effort towards becoming a Muslim who practises the Islamic way of life," he said.

Dr Mahathir said although Muslims were encouraged to perform all these acts of worship to save themselves in the afterlife, they should also remember their duties and responsibilities in the formation of the best Islamic community in the world.

He said the Quran is the main guide for Muslims.

"Failing to understand the guide will not make us successful Muslims," he said.

Dr Mahathir said the last election would also bring about changes to the administration of Islam in the country and that PH government would give emphasis to Islamic teachings as found in the Quran and Hadith.

"InsyaAllah, in this glorious month of Ramadan, we will seek sincere guidance from Allah so that all our actions will be blessed.

"Again, I would like to wish Muslims all the best in observing a month of fasting in this blessed Ramadan," he added. – Bernama

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